Praying Mantis - (Mantis religiosa) Praying Mantis - (Mantis religiosa) The Praying Mantis is an incredible friend to gardeners and farmers thanks to its mammoth appetite for plant-destroying pests. Staff Writer (10/23/2014): The large Praying Mantis (not 'Preying' although it does that very well) got its name from the position of its forelegs. When resting, these front legs are held in a way that makes them seem folded in prayer. Those powerful front legs are able to hold down an insect as the mantis eats it alive.
Settlers began to move to Florida once it became a United States territory. By the mid 1800s, it was a rural territory with large farms and plantations. In 1845 when Florida became a state, the population was approximately 140,000. Of these, 63,000 were African Americans, most of whom were slaves.
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, who led the first European expedition to Florida in 1513, named the state in tribute to Spainâs Easter celebration known as âPascua Florida,â or Feast of Flowers. During the first half of the 1800s, U.S. troops waged war with the regionâs Native American population. During the Civil War, Florida was the third state to secede from the Union. Beginning in the late 19th century, residents of Northern states flocked to Florida to escape harsh winters. In the 20th century, tourism became Floridaâs leading industry and remains so today, attracting millions of visitors annually.